Organology
آلات المالوف

The instruments
of the malouf

Plucked strings, bowed strings and percussion: these are the instruments that give voice to the Tunisian malouf — their making, their playing and their role in the orchestra.

One orchestra, two families

From song to percussion

Originally, the Tunisian classical orchestra had only two melodic instruments — the oud (plucked strings) and the rebab (bowed strings). Later came the nây (reed flute), the qânûn (zither), then the violin, the cello and the double bass.

The percussion section rests on the târ (frame drum with small cymbals) and the naghghârât (pair of kettledrums), to which the darbouka is often added.

Source: Manoubi Snoussi, "Initiation à la musique tunisienne, vol. 1: Musique classique" (CMAM Ennejma Ezzahra).

The instruments of the malouf

The five instruments

The repertory →
Tunisian oud
The Tunisian oud
'ûd 'arbî · plucked strings
Rebab
The rebab
rbâb · bowed strings
Târ
The târ
frame drum
Naghghârât
The naghghârât
pair of kettledrums
Darbouka
The darbouka
goblet drum
دار العود التونسي

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